Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;Chamidi&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Chrysanthemum  cultivar is provided that is a mutation of the ‘Chanizet’ variety (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10/114,447, filed concurrently herewith). Attractive ball-shaped bright yellow blossoms are formed in profusion. Such blossoms commonly are approximately 10 to 12 cm in diameter when fully open. The growth habit is low and compact and well-branched and yields a generally uniform and spherical overall plant. The foliage is glossy dark green and contrasts well with the bright yellow blossom coloration, and the stems are extremely stiff. The plant grows well in pots and is well suited for use as an attractive potted gift plant.

[0001] This is a Continuation of U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.10/114,446, filed Apr. 3, 2002.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

[0002]Chrysanthemum mortifolium/Decorative Pot Mum

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0003] cv. ‘Chamidi’

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum mortifolium, andhereafter is referred to by the cultivar name ‘Chamidi’.

[0005] The new cultivar of the present invention was created at Nuaillé,France when plants of the ‘Chanizet’ cultivar (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 10/114,447, filed concurrently herewith) wereirradiated with gamma radiation. The female parent of the ‘Chamidi’variety was named ‘88/28/3’ (non-patented in the United States) and themale parent of the ‘Chamidi’ variety was named ‘87/172/4’ (non-patentedin the United States). Cuttings of the irradiated plants were used toproduce new plants that were carefully studied. The new cultivar of thepresent invention was selected from among the rooted cuttings atNuaillé, France, primarily because of its distinctive and attractiveflower coloration.

[0006] It was found that the new Chrysanthemum cultivar of the presentinvention displays:

[0007] (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally spherical growthhabit,

[0008] (b) forms attractive ball-shaped long-lasting decorative uniformbright yellow blossoms,

[0009] (c) forms extremely stiff stems,

[0010] (d) forms attractive dark green leaves having shiny uppersurfaces, and

[0011] (e) an ability to grow well in pots to provide an attractivepotted gift plant.

[0012] The new cultivar can be grown singly or in clumps in pots. Italso can be grown in the landscape. The bright yellow blossoms contractnicely with the shiny dark green foliage. The blossoms have been foundto be long lasting and commonly last up to four weeks on the plant.Pinching is helpful to further enhance branching; however, such pinchingis not necessary since the plant already is naturally self-branching.

[0013] The new cultivar can be readily distinguished from its ‘Chanizet’parent in view of the different blossom coloration. The blossoms of thecultivar of the present invention are a uniform bright yellow whilethose of the ‘Chanizet’ cultivar are bronze in coloration. Also, each ofthe ‘88/28/3’ and ‘87/172/4’ parental varieties of the ‘Chamidi’cultivar display bronze-colored blossoms.

[0014] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings as performedat Nuaillé, France, in a controlled environment has demonstrated thatthe characteristics of the new cultivar are firmly fixed and areretained through successive generations of asexual propagation.

[0015] ‘Chamidi’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light, day length, contact with pesticides and/or subjection to grownregulation treatments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0016] The accompanying photographs depict important parts of the new‘Chamidi’ cultivar when grown in a pot in a greenhouse at Nuaillé,France. The plant was approximately four months of age.

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a close view of an attractive ball-shaped brightyellow blossom of the ‘Chamidi’ cultivar.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a typical dark green leaf of the ‘Chamidi’ cultivar.While not readily apparent in a photograph of this character, the uppersurface is glossy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The plants described were grown in pots in a greenhouse atNuaillé, France. No growth regulation was used. The growing conditionsapproximate those commonly utilized for the commercial production ofdecorative pot mums.

[0020] General appearance: Short and stocky with a generally sphericalgrowth habit.

[0021] Foliage: Attractive dark green. The upper and under surfaces ofmature leaves are near Green Group 137A and 139A. The upper surfaces ofthe leaves also are shiny and tend to glisten in the sunlight. The leaftexture is smooth and fleshy. A typical leaf commonly displays anaverage length of approximately 7 to 10 cm and an average width ofapproximately 4 to 6 cm. The leaf apex is obtuse and the leaf base issomewhat attenuate. The petiole is near Green Group 137A and 139A incoloration. The main central venation is slightly lighter green (asillustrated). The leaf margin bears medium serration (as illustrated).The petiole commonly is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm in length onaverage, and commonly is approximately 0.5 to 0.8 cm in diameter onaverage.

[0022] Stems: Extremely stiff and smooth in texture. A typical floweringstem commonly is approximately 35 to 40 cm in length on average, andapproximately 1.1 to 1.4 cm in diameter on average. The typicalinternode length commonly is approximately 2.5 to 3.5 cm on average.

[0023] Flowers: There commonly are approximately 6 to 8 flowers perstem. They possess a decorative uniform bright yellow coloration. Thereare no disc florets. The ray florets are concave in configuration andare near Yellow Group 7D on the outside and near Yellow Group 5A on theinside. The ray floret apex commonly is pointed. The ray floretscommonly number at least 300 and are tubular at the base. The texture ofthe ray florets is somewhat roughened. The corolla tube is near YellowGroup 7D in coloration. The configuration is generally ball-shaped andthe diameter is approximately 10 to 12 cm when fully expanded. A typicalray floret commonly displays an average length of approximately 7 to 13cm and an average width of approximately 1 to 1.4 cm. The corolla tubecommonly is approximately 6 to 11.5 cm in length on average. The budsare rounded at the tip, approximately 1.6 to 2.2 cm in length onaverage, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 cm in diameter on average, and nearYellow Group 7A in coloration. The peduncle is very strong, possesses asmooth texture, possesses a length of approximately 5 to 7 cm onaverage, possesses a diameter of approximately 0.8 to 1.2 cm on average,and commonly possesses a coloration of between Yellow-Green Group 144Aand 146A. No reproductive organs or seeds have been observed to date.

[0024] Flower duration: Very long lasting with the blossoms commonlylasting up to approximately four weeks on the plant.

[0025] Response time: The time between the beginning of the short dayperiod and the flowering date at normal temperature and light intensityis approximately ten weeks.

[0026] Hardiness: Has satisfactorily withstood temperatures in the rangeof 0 to 2° C.

[0027] Usage: Decorative pot mum. No noteworthy resistance orsusceptibility to disease, insects, or drought has been encounteredduring observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant thatdisplays: (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally sphericalgrowth habit, (b) forms attractive long-lasting decorative ball-shapeduniform bright yellow blossoms, (c) forms extremely stiff stems, (d)forms attractive dark green leaves having shiny upper surfaces, and (e)an ability to grow well in pots to provide an attractive potted giftplant; substantially as illustrated and described.